Egan Bernal, the 21-year-old Team Sky rider tipped as a future winner of the Tour de France, has been released from hospital following a serious crash on Saturday.

The Colombian was taking part in the Clasica San Sebastian when he was involved in a multi-rider crash during the final stages of the race. Bernal was immediately placed in a neck brace and taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair his top lip and treat his broken nose.

In a statement, Team Sky also revealed that doctors had discovered a small amount of bleeding in the brain, which was sustained during the crash. Sky announced that Bernal will take the next three weeks off to recover, and will also undergo dental surgery to repair a number of missing, broken and fractured teeth.

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With the gusher of talent coming out of this cycling-mad country, the answer is simple: absolutely. And at this year's race (July 7-29), Rigoberto Uran and Nairo Quintana are top contenders, with two young challengers right behind them.

Bernal was hugely impressive on his Tour de France debut, providing essential support to Team Sky teammate Geraint Thomas as the Welshman won the yellow jersey for the first time.

Thomas' win meant that Team Sky have now provided six of the last seven Tour de France winners, among them Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

But with Thomas, 32, and Froome, 33, reaching the end of their careers, Bernal is seen as the future of Team Sky, with his impressive Tour de France debut further underlining that belief.

He is now extremely unlikely to compete in the Vuelta a España, the third and final of cycling's Grand Tours, which takes place from August 25 to September 16.